"We
are trying to bring everyone together on regional levels to look at
shared problems everyone is facing," Benedict said. "We want to provide
them with data and analysis to help them make decisions on how to
provide sustainable development for the region."

South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo said the Vibrant NEO process is not a new concept.

"I think this really differs from Voices and Choices," Welo said, recalling an effort last decade to fashion a regional economic recovery plan. "That kind of set the stage for people thinking about how we can be more vibrant.

"(Vibrant NEO) is really looking at zoning, mapping and land use, and that is really important. Other competitive areas that have been thriving have had good land use," Welo said. "If they can somehow stop the madness of continuous building and go back to reinvesting, that would be good."

Shaker
Heights Mayor Earl Leiken said NEOSCC is on the right track in trying
to devise a plan that can increase jobs and reverse past development
trends.

"I am very supportive of their efforts to take a
different course," Leiken said, adding that staying the course "would
lead to some very serious problems."

Benedict agreed regional development should not continue as it has for the last few decades.

"The
big picture story of the region is that if we continue to do what we
have been doing, it's a little alarming for what it implies for the next
25-30 years," he said.

This scenario, which NEOSCC has dubbed
the "Trend Scenario," involves little population and job growth, more
suburban sprawl and not much focus on redeveloping inner-city areas and
inner-ring suburbs.

*
The "Grow the Same" scenario, in which population and jobs in the
region grow at the same rate as the rest of the country through 2040.

*
The "Do Things Differently" scenario, which involves reinvesting in
existing communities, limiting development in environmentally-sensitive
areas, increasing mixed-use development projects, expanding public
transportation and utilizing existing infrastructure as much as
possible.

* The "Grow Differently" scenario, which is a combination of the other two alternative scenarios.

Welo and Leiken said they want to see the "Grow Differently" scenario put in place.

"We believe we need to grow and have more jobs and a stronger population in our region in order to be successful," Leiken said.

"You have to grow differently. You have to not be afraid," Welo said. "That's why it's not going to happen at the local level. It's going to have to come from a higher authority, and that will have to be at the state level."

However, Welo has little confidence in state leadership to do its part.

"They keep saying the municipalities aren't ready for this. I think the state Legislature isn't ready for this," Welo said. "The state doesn't have the political will to do it. The state should look at land use and start the movement toward regionalization and collaboration."

Welo said the state has all the natural resources it needs to compete against other regions of the country and also has good infrastructure and top-quality educational facilities.

"Ohio could be unstoppable. This is an incredible place to live," Welo
said. "But we have no real leaders, no faces of Northeast Ohio. We don't have people saying and believing in this area."

Benedict said the two most important issues to residents have been environmental quality and economic vitality.

"The emphasis on basic environmental protections was a little surprising to me," Benedict said.

NEOSCC is in the last of its three-year planning process to help revitalize the 12 counties comprising Northeast Ohio.

"One
way or the other, NEOSCC ends at the end of 2013," Benedict said.
"NEOSCC is going to create a framework for regional development. How
it's done is up to the local elected officials."